partickthedog

Muzzy LWB and Amoo RWB?

I remember that 3-0 loss at Kilmarnock. It was a dreadful Jags performance, lacking skill and spirit and submitting meekly to a seemingly inevitable heavy defeat. That would have been a miserably poor showing on any surface. Since then by my reckoning we have returned to Rugby Park 4 times and all have been exciting and entertaining games. There have been two 2-2 draws where we scored the last goal on both occasions,,a fine 2-0 victory last season to secure our safety with Muzzy outplaying first Josh Magennis and second Kallum Higginbotham in a memorable display. And there was of course the Kris Doolan and Robbie Muirhead inspired 5-2 horsing . So lots of good games on the Killie Astro to add to some decent showings at Hamilton as well.

We don't want Thomas the Cat picking up a pulled muscle as well.

The delivery from the corner for their first goal was fantastic. We must have had more corners than Aberdeen but failed to deliver a significant threat from any of them. However, as a footballing performance I was impressed and encouraged by Thistle today. A huge step up in quality from Wednesday"s second half. Barton much more on the ball and Muzzy adds so much to the team. As well as the Elliot and Azeez chances which have been highlighted, the one that had me off my seat in the second half was the far post header from Edwards that went narrowly wide. How good an opportunity was that?

MMCF Did you see my post (no 53 on your that's entertainment thread) putting forward a solution to the curse of "corner-flagging"?

Not really replying to post above but just a general observation. David Amoo is a different player with Muzzy Dumbaya behind him.

If Muzzy is anywhere near full fitness, he should start. Likelihood is that Aberdeen wide attackers will be Hayes and McGinn, fast, inventive and intelligent players. Callum Booth can match one of them, but I would be happier with Muzzy rather than Christie facing up to the other one. Less need for physicality against Aberdeen than against other teams.

This post does not pretend to be an answer to the problem of negative game-killing football, but is a suggestion as to how one aspect of it can be tackled. I have always hated "corner-flagging". I do not like it when other teams do it it to us or when we attempt to do it to other teams. I do not like it when watching football as a neutral (eg on TV etc). The practice is a thief of entertainment. It drains the excitement out of what could be the most tense and pulsating period of the match. The team that is desperate to equalise or win is denied the opportunity to mount that last crazy attack. The team that is hanging on is diverted from what should be their aim to score a breakaway goal and make the game secure. Both sets of fans and all neutrals are cheated. Furthermore as we saw last night corner-flagging induces both taunting play-acting and frustrated retribution, with consequent danger of serious injury. Play is by definition at the very edge of the pitch, so warming up substitutes can draw themselves into the melee. At least one set of supporters will likely be very close to the action and of course the corner may mark the point of connection where jeering and worked up fans confront each other. A powder keg of tension ripe for explosion, all for no positive entertainment value and denying the opportunity of some good open attacking football to bring the game to its conclusion. A possible rule change to deal with this? Very open to better ideas from others, but here is a starter for ten. Mark a quadrant on the pitch, 10 yards or metres or whatever it is now from the corner flag. This will also be helpful in keeping defensive players back in the right place when a corner kick is being taken. If any team plays the ball into (or takes possession of the ball in) the quadrant (this would include being awarded a throw in, corner or free kick in the quadrant), it has (say) 15 or 30 seconds to take the ball out of the quadrant, otherwise a free kick is awarded to the other team. This would be similar to some rugby scenarios where if a team takes the ball into some forms of contact it has so much time to recycle the ball otherwise scrum put in goes to the other team. No doubt there are some improvements to the detail of this proposal which would make it work better, but I think that the basic idea is sound Quad-Rant over!

I can already see that differentiating between Barton and Banton is going to be an eyesight challenge (on the team sheet, not on the pitch).

I think that there is something in that. Amoo is more of a natural predator than Azeez. His long run to score against St Johnstone was the exception. Most of his other goals have been due to being in the right place at the right time to force the ball home whether with head or foot.

Prince Buaben had some good games though perhaps faded towards the end of his loan period.

I feel thar we still try the easy wide ball too often. Just say that a player like Stevie Lawless or Chris Erskine has the ball approaching the D. Both have the skill to turn defenders and make room for a shot and can curl them in from that range. They should try that more often. They will score a few, and others will take strange deflections and end up at the feet of Kris Doolan or Ryan Edwards or whomever. Sliding it wide looks good and retains possession and gives a better impression of being a team player rather than going for glory. However you are then relying on the following all coming together: The weight and accuracy of the cross. The positional sense and timing of the striker. The ability of the striker to apply the right touch. The chances of all these elements combining successfully seems lower than the first time shot producing a goal. Also my non-scientific observation is that deflections on shots from out front often end up in the net or at the feet of another attacker, whereas blocks on crosses (with the occasional exception for the perfectly delivered corridor of uncertainty ball) usually carry the ball away from the goal or out for a corner. In other words just hit it, man!

Minutes 20-35 we took over the game and played some really good stuff and went close in several occasions. Rest has been pretty even. Lindsay putting in a mature and commanding performance and Keown seems sound. Barton competent but not as influential as I would like. He sees more when coming forward from defence. I expect Doolan on for Azeez who has had some reasonable moments but too many bad touches. I think Inverness have taken off their Dumbuya so can we put on our Dumbaya? Would be a bold move. Christie is solid but not a game changer today.

I see from the official site that the Thistle Development squad eventually went down 3-4. Sounds like an exciting game and our team did us proud. However, no doubt a difficult defeat to accept. I am sure that there is plenty of encouragement to take from this and previous performances, and it will be heads up for the lads as they move on with their league programme.

Is this Archie considering other options while Abdul is suspended?

Would that be Strathspey Real?

You have to be careful what you do with paper. I heard of a paper shop that blew away.

Would I be right in remembering that Terry Butcher was a leading player when Ipswich Town were a major power in the land under manager Bobby Robson? That might give him some helpful hero status with the fans and thus a slightly longer honeymoon period than others might be permitted. His managerial record is distinctly patchy with his reasonably successful periods at Motherwell and Inverness the exception rather than the rule. Relegating Hibs must be his most memorable achievement.

A rocket man will always find space.

Just to emphasise the breadth of learning you can pick up on the forum, it was Calvin's pal Luther who was the chief proponent of the doctrine of Zola scriptura.

If Calvin appealed against a red card, would this be considered by a Zola panel?

What a pity that in his post match interview Archie missed the chance to say about Ade's goal, "we always knew he had that in his lokeren." Great to see (and hear) Muzzy back in the team. His last competitive performance was the best defensive display I have ever seen from a Thistle fullback, especially remarkable as it was on his less favoured left side, due to Booth's injury absence. Kilmarnock had to win the post split game at Rugby Park. In the first half Muzzy was confronted with the power and pace of Magennis and in the second half he had the different challenge of the trickery and dig of Higginbotham. He more than matched both all the way and was key to our victory.

My recollection is that after a slow start (not surprising after the traumatic relegation of the season before), we had put together a run of 5 wins in a row. We were challenging top placed St Johnstone and all set for a showdown on a Saturday afternoon at Firhill, when St Johnstone managed to postpone the game because one player had been called up for an international. This drained all the momentum from the Thistle juggernaut. The game against St Johnstone was re-scheduled for a snowy midweek night. Although it seems incredible in retrospect (perhaps someone can correct me), my memory is that despite us being the home team, half of our players were delayed by transport difficulties and did not turn up in time. We were forced to put out a weakened side and were duly demolished 0-4 by the rampant Perthites.

Yes that assist was absolutely Brill

In contrast his other brother John Little was a merry pal of Robin Hood, was very tall and played centre back for Nottingham Forest.